Book Giveaway: The Duchess and Guy by Nancy Furstinger

Author Nancy Furstinger has a new picture book titled, THE DUCHESS AND GUY. It will be available in bookstores on January 8th. Nancy has agreed to share a book with one lucky winner. All you have to do to get in the running is to leave a comment. Reblog, tweet, or talk about it on Facebook with a link and you will get additional chances to win. Just let me know the other things you do to share the good news, so I can put in the right amount of tickets in my basket for you.

Sharing on Facebook, Twitter, reblogging really helps spread the word for a new book. Thanks for helping Nancy!

BOOK’S DESCRIPTION:

A heartwarming tale about a beagle and the Duchess who adopted him, this picture book is inspired by the true story of Meghan Markle and her rescue dog, Guy. When he was a pup, Guy was just like any dog in the shelter; he liked to bark and follow his nose, and dreamed of a forever home above all things. But when Guy met Meghan, he had no idea he was about to star in his own Cinderella story. Guy can now be spotted escorting Queen Elizabeth and frolicking in Buckingham Palace.

This rags-to-riches story of how one regal beagle got a second chance at life will charm and delight.

BOOK’S JOURNEY:

My agent, John Rudolph, contacted me right before Memorial Day weekend and asked if I was a “royal watcher.” And, to his disappointment, I had to admit that I had zero interest in the royal wedding and hadn’t watched Meghan Markle and Prince Harry tie the knot (apparently everyone in his office was “obsessed”). But the real reason my agent contacted me was to attach an article about Meghan’s rescued beagle, Guy, and to ask me if I wanted to “whip up a PB text pronto.” Did I ever! Rescued dogs are near and dear to my heart—I’ve written books about them, volunteer with them at my local SPCA, plus I adopted my own two: Bosco and Rosy.

So I “whipped up” a manuscript and submitted it to John, who had emphasized that the topic was “timely and commercial.” Now I am NOT a fast writer, but I did start my career as a reporter for a daily newspaper. A few days later I sent my agent the manuscript—he loved the voice, and how I “balanced the sadder aspects of Guy’s live with the happy ending.” The manuscript, tentatively titled “Guy, the Regal Beagle,” was submitted to a select small group of editors; John said it was the quickest submission he’s ever done. And we received a prompt response from Ann Rider at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, which published two of my middle-grade nonfiction books—“Mercy: The Incredible Story of Henry Bergh, Founder of the ASPCA and Friend of Animals” and “Unstoppable: True Stories of Amazing Bionic Animals.” Ann passed the manuscript along to Emilia Rhodes, who, she noted, “has a keen interest in this topic.” Emilia said that HMH had been talking about a picture book about Guy, but didn’t have a writer attached. She asked if I was open to rewriting with an emphasis on “a bit more of imagined fun and wish fulfillment of Guy and his new life in Buckingham Palace.”

Was I ever! And I actually did two complete overhauls of the original manuscript. Emilia is a dream editor, not only is she also passionate about pooches–volunteering for a rescue and adopting two rescue dogs (one was featured in a video for The Dodo!)—but also her comments and edits strengthened the story. I also got to make a few art suggestions, although I knew the artist (Julia Bereciartu) would bring her own vision to the book. Right now I’m busy getting ready to launch the book (pup, er, pub date is January 15); there will be dog guests and a portion of proceeds will benefit dog rescue! And I just discovered that GUY has been selected by Barnes & Noble for a storytime event on January 19 that will take place across their stores!

NANCY’S Bio:

Nancy Furstinger has been speaking up for animals since she learned to talk, and she hasn’t shut up yet. She is the author of many books, most on her favorite topic: animals!

She started her writing career in third grade, when her class performed a play she wrote while recovering from chicken pox. Since then, Nancy has been a feature writer for a daily newspaper, a managing editor of trade and consumer magazines, and an editor at two children’s book publishing houses. She shares her home with big dogs, house rabbits, and a chinchilla (all rescued), and volunteers with several animal organizations. Learn more about her dual passions–animals and writing–at: http://www.nancyfurstinger.com/

Thank you Nancy for sharing your book and journey with us. It looks like a wonderful picture book. Keep the books coming in 2019.

Thanks so much for featuring me and my new book, Kathy. I’m super-excited about GUY’s launch–three events in one week–especially since two will be benefits for the SPCA where I volunteer with the dogs (and bunnies and guinea pigs)!

I love the story behind the story as much as I love the story itself! Thank you so much, Nancy, for sharing how you came to write it. I have a book coming out in 2020 with HMH…Ann is my editor…and she’s a dream editor also. Although I’m not a ‘royal watcher’ either, dogs are near and dear to my heart…so I am anxiously awaiting your book’s launch!

Many thanks, Vivian (for some reason my original comment disappeared). How exciting about your new book plus working with Ann! This is my 3rd HMH book and my 2nd editor @ this imprint–a terrific experience, as I’m sure you’ll see. And great to meet another dog lover plus to connect with you on FB!

I love this! Our shelter just had a giveaway where all their animals found homes, and sadly, there’s already new residents. So happy that this issue is being focused on and in such a fun story! Super congrats on the BandN Stoytime, well definitely try to be there for our local store’s event!

Hi, Kaitlyn, our SPCA also had a similar event–Empty the Shelters–and I was glad to see so many pets going to their furever homes, especially my fave pitbull, Bella! And thanks so much–you’ll have to tell me how the B&N event is in your neck of the woods:-)

Thanks, Anita, I love Julia’s artwork–a great choice for the illustrator (selected by my editor). And the sub-rights sold to the UK (plus Australia)–the cover is a tad different with the duchess literally wearing her heart on her sleeve!